Rack & Pinion Leaking

[Vinny2010]

I was getting a state inspection done at firestone (my first mistake) and they said my rack and pinion was leaking. I never noticed a driving difference, my power steering hasn't even needed more fluid. This can cost a lot of money im going to try and pass inspection again somewhere else, but if they say the same thing is this a common issue and what can I do to get this fixed fast without digging a grave for my bank account?

Please help, Thanks

[Ilya]

How many miles on your car? If I recall, a little 'sweat' is normal...but anything more isn't.

[Vinny2010]

Its a 2006 m35x with less than 135,000 on it owned for a year. Kind of have to go over speed bumps everyday if that has anything to do with it either.

[EdBwoy]

I was getting a state inspection done at firestone (my first mistake) and they said my rack and pinion was leaking. I never noticed a driving difference, my power steering hasn't even needed more fluid. This can cost a lot of money im going to try and pass inspection again somewhere else, but if they say the same thing is this a common issue and what can I do to get this fixed fast without digging a grave for my bank account?

Please help, Thanks

Man, I don't miss state inspections at all! When I lived in St. Louis, it was guaranteed that the shop doing the inspection would come up with some BS to fail me. If I went to another shop they would come up with a laundry list 90% different from the first shop.

Also, IIRC a fluid "leak" is when a single drop hits the ground during inspection. A little wetness around the tubes shouldn't be bad unless the seal is seriously damaged. That being said, as you can imagine, a few drops especially over a short time, might not be easily caught when you check fluid levels. You also wouldn't notice much in the steering response.

To answer your direct question, no it is not common on an m35 and I would get a second opinion. Where are you located and how much does it cost? I would consider a Nissan/Infiniti dealership as most of them can do state inspections at least in Missouri. If you want you could also check under the car yourself.
It would be difficult to tell approx how much a fix would cost unless we knew exactly where it was leaking from. However, a bump wouldn't scrape anything on the steering rack itself, only putting a lot of strain on the tie rods and rack internals if you go over the bumps too fast.

[Vinny2010]

I don't go over the speed bumps fast, on one of them, I have to turn so that's what I was wondering. But I live in Virginia and im currently a student and park my car on the street so its kind of hard to look under because I don't have the equipment to undo everything and get under there. But I am bringing it to a Midas this evening to see if they can pre inspect it because they might believe firestone is crazy too. I'm looking at at least $1000 job for replacing the whole thing (havent even ordered parts yet). I really hope it doesn't screw me over.

[EdBwoy]

I understand, been a student with good taste. Haha

Anyway, I thought I could look under the car and see the steering rack without even jacking it up. Do you have the underbody shields still intact under the engine? If not, then you can see any droplets under the car on the ground. Let us know what midas finds.

[Vinny2010]

They jacked it up and I saw under it, it's leaking on both sides. I'm gonna have to replace the whole part, they said its remanufactured to help save me money too. I want to research my own part, but I'm afraid ill picking the wrong one because they have 2 different one for the models and mines AWD, plus I get a warranty and they charge me more if I use my parts.

[Mjkkb2]

VA inspection is done via state police database, so the next shop will see you failed already. Might as well get it fixed, instead of wasting time trying to get it past the technician...won't work in VA, sorry.

[lovemycarM35]

that's crazy i live in Massachusetts, and they don't inspect the dam rack that's crazy

[DS2009m35x]

2009 M35x 110k replaced one year ago. Unfortunately I had a leaking rack that moaned when i turned right. They've upgrade the new racks as there was an inherent weak point in the original racks. $2200 thru an Infiniti dealership. note: as a benefit, I was hoping it would help further reduce the tramlining, but no difference noticed.

[Vinny2010]

Thanks for the feedback guys, they ordered the part and a figured out a few other things to pass inspection without hurting the pocket to bad gonna cost me $1100 at Midas.

I'm surprised they don't check in MA it helps steer the vehicle, which I would think is really important.

Im pretty sure the rack I have is original, so your saying Infiniti found a fault with the one I'm getting replaced, And hopefully the one I am replacing it with will last much longer? 130k for rack seems low (coming from Nissan and Acura previous owner)

[steve_c]

Vinny,
The early racks were not a recall, thus not deemed to be unsafe for use.
That means in theory that these racks can be rebuilt / re-manufactured / recycled as the market dictates.
I still have that first generation rack in my early build (07/05) 2006 M.

You do not mention anything about the replacement rack you are having installed. Is it a new /rebuilt or re-manufactured unit?

If it a new Infiniti OEM rack, then it will be the latest, unless it was lying on the shelf for years, and I truly doubt that.

If it is an aftermarket rebuilt rack, then it could be either the old or new version. If it is an aftermarket re-manufactured rack, then it should be in compliance with the latest OEM spec for that unit, even if it was one of the older version racks, (providing the old style rack can be upgraded).

Are you getting a new aftermarket rack? If so, if it is from a major OEM rack manufacturer like TRW, it should be as good (if not the equivalent) as a new Infiniti OEM unit.
I do not know the parts supplier source MIDAS uses. Maybe it is up to the individual franchise owner to just source the rack you need from a local parts supplier!

I agree with you. A rack should last more than 130k these days, and they do, as you pointed out. More than a few early M's had rack issues prompting a factory improvement. Improved racks are not the only change made to our generation of M's. Control units, X drive-train components, brakes & brake hardware have had product improvement along the way.
My 2006 M has had all of the above upgraded during the 2006 model year alone, after my car left the factory!

[Vinny2010]

Hey Steve, when I was discussing the price with Midas they warranty the part for a year and it is re-manufactured which also makes it easier on me. I don't know where they get it either, but the part alone is 800 and I can find them online at rockauto.com for much cheaper, but the thing is a labor if I bring in my own part he charges me for more labor plus, I don't get the warranty. I knew it wasn't a recall, the only thing I wish that infiniti really recalled is my gas tank not filling up all the way.

[steve_c]

.......when I was discussing the price with Midas they warranty the part for a year and it is re-manufactured which also makes it easier on me....

With the options they gave you, I would have done the same thing you did. One year is great, gives you this summer & upcoming winter to cycle the rack through extreme temps.